Comments by Tim Martin | tmartin4@mlive.com - MLive.comtag:profile.mlive.com,2015:TMartin4/101807502012-05-24T02:48:00ZMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advanceComment on Michigan budget deal: Republicans plan some tax relief, teacher retirement system changes tag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206921942012-05-24T02:48:00Z2012-05-24T02:48:00ZHow much money goes into the state budget? The school aid fund has roughly $11 billion. The general fund has roughly $9 billion. Overall -- counting federal money and other sources -- it's around $48 billion.TMartin4Comment on Michigan budget deal: Republicans plan some tax relief, teacher retirement system changes tag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206917572012-05-24T02:16:27Z2012-05-24T02:16:27ZJust added more details to this article related to education funding. K-12 schools could get an additional $74 million beyond earlier plans. Republicans say there's been no decision yet on how the money would be distributedTMartin4Comment on Michigan House Republicans plan relief for individual taxpayers; concept could be part of budget plantag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206815412012-05-23T14:27:33Z2012-05-23T14:27:33ZLawmakers want to get the budget finished by June 1, so more details -- and votes -- on this plan could come soon. While some lawmakers want to repeal the pension tax, they haven't been been able to muster enoughTMartin4Comment on Court: Michigan financial review teams not subject to open meetings lawstag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206670872012-05-22T15:59:04Z2012-05-22T15:59:04ZOdds that these particular cases wind up before the Michigan Supreme Court?TMartin4Comment on Republicans say Michigan will be crucial state in 2012 presidential racetag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206373112012-05-20T00:57:15Z2012-05-20T00:57:15ZRepublican sources say 6 of the 30 voting delegates headed to the national convention from Michigan appear to be Paul supporters. (Article is updated)TMartin4Comment on Rick Snyder tells Republicans to keep Michigan's momentum going in 2012tag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206353882012-05-19T19:42:04Z2012-05-19T19:42:04ZA key debate in the 2012 election: What will the economy look like by this fall? And who will get the credit/blame for that?TMartin4Comment on David Agema, Terri Lynn Land win Republican committee spots at conventiontag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206353432012-05-19T19:34:58Z2012-05-19T19:34:58ZAnyone surprised at the outcome of the committeeman/committeewoman races?TMartin4Comment on Republicans say Michigan will be crucial state in 2012 presidential racetag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206353102012-05-19T19:29:22Z2012-05-19T19:29:22ZFor those of you not sure which candidate or party you will support for president in 2012...what will be the key issues? The deciding factors?TMartin4Comment on Bill targeting concussions in youth sports is endorsed by Detroit Lions president Tom Lewandtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/news/index.ssf//2926.206271162012-05-18T20:12:03Z2012-05-18T20:12:03ZThanks to readers for pointing out that some organizations and leagues have policies or protocols for dealing with possible concussions. Among them is the MHSAA, which calls for athletes showing concussion symptoms to be removed from play. The legislation wouldTMartin4Comment on In wake of Trayvon Martin shooting, Democrats say Michigan 'stand your ground' law should be repealedtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206202252012-05-18T13:00:52Z2012-05-18T13:00:52ZThis proposal from Democrats comes just before a gun rights rally planned for Saturday outside the state Capitol.TMartin4Comment on Michigan budget director John Nixon: Don't expect radical changes in spending plantag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.206052682012-05-17T13:39:26Z2012-05-17T13:39:26ZThe Michigan Constitution calls for the governor's administration to propose a budget. Here's a link describing some of the process: http://www.michigan.gov/budget/1,1607,7-157-11462_13385-34950--,00.htmlTMartin4Comment on Michigan budget director John Nixon: Don't expect radical changes in spending plantag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205972082012-05-16T20:42:25Z2012-05-16T20:42:25ZRepublicans also say they'll be cautious about the Michigan budget because of concerns about what's going on globally and nationally, and how that might impact the state budget. Those concerns include financial issues in Europe and oil prices, among others.TMartin4Comment on Economists to Michigan lawmakers: Budget revenues may not be as high as originally projectedtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205915152012-05-16T15:04:09Z2012-05-16T15:04:09ZState analysts will make a consensus revenue forecast later today. Lawmakers will then study those numbers as they finalize the next state budget. The process could move relatively quickly and be wrapped up by June 1. The House and SenateTMartin4Comment on Debbie Stabenow has Republican competition for Michigan U.S. Senate seattag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205834112012-05-15T21:54:19Z2012-05-15T21:54:19ZWhen it comes time to vote in the Republican primary, who will most tea party activists support?TMartin4Comment on Michigan U.S. Senate race taking shape as Stabenow, Durant join Hoekstra as filerstag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205698872012-05-14T23:09:34Z2012-05-14T23:09:34ZWhich Republican would have the best shot at beating Stabenow in November?TMartin4Comment on Michigan parole officers worry smaller staff could mean more public safety threats from ex-constag:www.mlive.com,2015:/news/index.ssf//2926.205608652012-05-14T13:06:38Z2012-05-14T13:06:38ZAbout 17 percent of the state's Department of Corrections budget goes toward parole, probation and community service functions. Nearly 80 percent goes toward prison operations.TMartin4Comment on Mamas Agenda announced at Michigan Capitol as Mother's Day approaches: 'Forget the flowers. We want change' tag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205211002012-05-10T19:19:17Z2012-05-10T19:19:17ZSome of these proposals could be introduced by Michigan Democrats this week or next.TMartin4Comment on Michigan's emergency manager opponents try to revive their effort in courttag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.205101182012-05-10T02:52:33Z2012-05-10T02:52:33ZThe Court of Appeals hearing in this case will be with a three-judge panel in Detroit.TMartin4Comment on Michigan underage drinkers who seek alcohol poisoning help can get medical amnesty under new lawtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/politics/index.ssf//3203.204878882012-05-08T21:32:24Z2012-05-08T21:32:24ZStates that have passed similar legislation include Pennsylvania and New York.TMartin4